Zach Berman, Inquirer Staff Writer

Posted:
Thursday, October 17, 2013, 10:19 AM

Andy Reid named Nick Foles the starting quarterback for the rest of the season, regardless of Michael Vick's health.

"It gives one of your players the opportunity to play here, the next four games, as a starter," Reid said. "Each week, he's been the replacement guy. Now he is the starter, we'll see how he does with that on his plate, see how he handles it. I don't expect much change there with him."

Reid said Vick is on "the fast track" and might return this weekend, although he's still at the fourth phase of the concussion recovery. But Reid said the decision was made in part for Vick's long-term health.

"I think, where we're out, with the season, it gives this kid an opportunity to play and finish it up," Reid said. "He's playing well enough that I think he can win football games for us. Where we sit at this position in the season, it's the right thing to do."

Foles has started the past three games with Vick out with a concussion. In three starts and four total appearances, he completed 60.9 percent of his passes for 739 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions.

"I did speak to [Vick], and he was very positive about it," Reid said. "He completely understood. He's on board."

Vick will likely be the No. 2 quarterback when he's healthy. Reid emphasized that Vick's concussion recovery has taken a long time -- Vick is still at the fourth phase of a five-step process and has not passed his ImPACT test -- and wants Vick healthy enough to have a long career.

"He still has three, four years that he can probably get out there, wing it, so let's get him healthy and on right direction there," Reid said.

Reid said he made the decision on Vick without interference from the front office.

"One great thing about the Philadelphia Eagles organization is Jeffrey [Lurie], when Joe [Banner] was here, and Howie [Roseman] and the other general managers were here, they allowed me to make decisions," Reid said. "I understand where you're coming from that you need to know that, but those are my decisions."

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